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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Musical bracket clock

Musical bracket clock

Partially verified

This musical bracket clock is an eight-day going, hour and quarter-striking timepiece featuring a musical cylinder mechanism. Housed in a case constructed of polychrome painted wood and gilt bronze, the clock exhibits a floral motif. The timekeeping movement is of gilt brass with four pillars and a verge escapement, utilizing a brass bob pendulum with silk suspension. It includes spring barrels for the going and striking trains, with the striking mechanism operating two hammers on two bells mounted above the movement. The musical component consists of a rectangular gilt brass frame, a massive barrel with fusee and chain, and a brass pinned cylinder measuring 180 mm in length. It plays a selection of ten tunes on twelve bells using twenty-two hammers, controlled by a fly governor with adjustable wings. The clock is unsigned and attributed to Switzerland, dating to approximately 1780.

Front view of the unsigned musical bracket clock, showing the dial, gilt bronze ornaments, and the internal musical cylinder.
Front view of the unsigned musical bracket clock, showing the dial, gilt bronze ornaments, and the internal musical cylinder. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Clock · Musical bracket clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
288
Source-reported date
Circa 1780
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The clock is encased in polychrome painted wood, decorated with painted floral motifs throughout. The exterior is enhanced by gilt bronze mounts, including decorative elements around the dial, corners, and a finial at the top. The case rests on four ornate scrolling feet.

The dial is circular and finished in white enamel. It features black Roman numerals for the hours and black Arabic numerals for the minutes at five-minute intervals. The auction description notes that the soft enamel dial has been slightly restored.

Evidence for this section
  • “polychrome painted wood and gilt bronze”
  • “Slightly restored soft enamel”

Movement and Musical Mechanism

The timekeeping movement is constructed of gilt brass with four pillars. It functions on an eight-day cycle with spring barrels for both the going and striking trains. The escapement is of the verge type, regulated by a brass bob pendulum suspended by a silk thread. The clock strikes the hour and quarters using two hammers on two bells positioned above the movement, with the striking train situated on the backplate.

The musical mechanism is mounted in a rectangular gilt brass frame. Power is provided by a large barrel equipped with a fusee and chain. The mechanism includes a brass pinned cylinder measuring 180 mm in length, which operates twelve bells via twenty-two hammers. A fly governor with adjustable wings controls the speed of the music, which can be played on the hour or at the operator's will.

Evidence for this section
  • “gilt brass, four pillar, spring barrels for the going and striking trains, verge escapement”
  • “brass pinned cylinder 180 mm long, fly governor with adjustable wings, twelves bells below the cylinder played with 22 hammers”

Condition and Attribution

The object is sold as an unsigned musical bracket clock, with the auction house attributing its manufacture to Switzerland. The date of origin is estimated to be circa 1780.

Regarding condition, the auction description provides specific grades for the clock. The case is rated as grade 3 (good), the movement is grade 3 (good), and the dial is grade 3-75-01 (good).

Evidence for this section
  • “Unsigned, Switzerland”
  • “Circa 1780”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Open research questions

  • What is the provenance of the clock prior to its inclusion in this auction?
  • Are there any identifiable stamps on the movement plates that might narrow down the specific Swiss region of manufacture?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Musical bracket clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerUnsigned“UNSIGNED”
OriginSwitzerland“SWITZERLAND”
DateCirca 1780“Circa 1780”
Mechanism type8-day going musical table clock“8-day going musical table clock”
Musical system12 bells, 22 hammers, 10 tunes“cylinder musical mechanism playing on twelve bells with twenty two hammers, playing a selection of ten tunes”
EscapementVerge escapement“verge escapement”
Dimensions850mm height, 440mm length, 320mm width“Length 440 Height 850 Width 320”
ConditionOverhaul recommended“Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Visible details

  • Case features polychrome floral painted wood with applied gilt bronze ornamentation
  • Cylinder musical mechanism is visible within the lower front of the case
  • Clock features a brass bob pendulum with silk suspension
  • White enamel dial has black Roman numerals and outer Arabic numerals for minutes

Research qualifications

  • Condition of the enamel dial described as slightly restored
  • The auction description reports an overhaul is recommended

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

UNSIGNED, SWITZERLAND, MUSICAL BRACKET CLOCK, PLAYING A SELECTION OF TEN TUNES ON THE HOUR OR AT WILL, EBONY

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record b4cc770f35

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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